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Chicago Tournament 2009CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAYS SIX, SEVEN AND EIGHT After a late night at Wrigley Field, watching the Houston Astros demolish the Chicago Cubs (the only game the Cubbies have lost out of the past 7!), the boys didn't get to bed until after one a.m. As they had to be at the field for their first competition game at 7 am the next morning, that meant verrrry little sleep...and a verrry bad showing against the Russians. Another 7 a.m. start the next morning led us to another defeat by an American Babe Ruth team and put us out of the competition. The boys have learnt a lot from this experience and most are living it up at Six Flags amusement park today. Two significant exceptions - Ja'rome and Sam Clerk, who were both picked up by an American 13U team who lost key players to injuries and were impressed by the boys' skills (they also needed pitchers and catchers). One of our main difficulties with our team was that all other teams have the very oldest possible players on the field - whereas we have a very young team (most can return next year). So it will be interesting to see how Sam and Ja'Rome do among their proper age groups. Sam was the lead-off hitter for the first game and immediately slammed a triple and eventually scored the first run for the Crystal Lake Bombers. That's a good indication they will do well.
CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAY FIVE The boys recovered their spirit and skills today. After scoring only two runs in the previous three games, today we scored 13 runs in two games. In the morning, we came on strong to take the initial lead over an American team, Finish Strong. Unfortunately, Finish Strong apparently named themelves that for a reason as they went on to win 14-6. Dakota pitched a strong game and some good hitting began to happen. The evening game was amazing - played under the lights. A tight contest against another American team, with us ahead by 5 runs at one point and Ja'rome pitching a great game, going the distance the entire 7 innings. We lost 9-7 by only two runs, but everyone showed incredible spirit and we seem to be growing stronger every day. The first five games are over - no games the next day as we all go see the Chicago Cubs take on the Houston Astros at historic Wrigley Field. The following day, we begin the double-elimination round. When we lose two games, we're out of the competition. Well, almost all. Sam Clerk and Ja'rome Ritchie have been asked to help out an American team in the 13U division as they've had a lot of injuries. Special thanks to our new honorary American coach, Larry Freck, for helping the boys bring up their baseball skills. We will be kidnapping Larry and bringing him back to NZ unless his family reads this first and stops us. CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAY FOUR THE TOP TEN REASONS OUR TEAM WAS MERCIED TWICE TODAY (18-2 against the Baltimore Waves, 13-0 against the Mobile Alabama Bay Sox) 10. Tim told everyone to bunt 9. Every single player is either injured or sick (actually close to the truth...) 8. The team left their gloves on the plane 7. Tired out from doing their 345th Haka 6. Kiwis are allergic to Gatorade 5. Lulling America into a false sense of superiority before we destroy them 4. Too much Taco Bell 3. Americans not only drive on the other side of the road, they also put first base where third should be 2. Rob Gadbaw loves America so much, he doesn't have the heart to beat their teams 1. Terminal Jet Lag Yes, a difficult day as we faced two teams who looked about ten years older than ours. But some nice hits, some nice plays and the boys' spirits are still intact. Tomorrow, we play a night game under the lights. And hopefully NO MORE INJURIES!!!!
Central City gets Outlawed CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAY THREE Back to earth for our boys. First real game of tournament was this morning at 8 against the Indiana Outlaws. And this game was a crime as we were mercied 13-0 after 4. Some bad fielding mistakes really worked against us and the boys' fatigue after the nonstop events after arrival was showing. Fortunately, it was the only game of the day and they can relax. Tomorrow 2 games against 2 other American teams. We'll keep you posted.
Three team captains and head coach at opening ceremonies CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAY TWO Amazing day for our Kiwi team. The boys were received with applause and excitement (and many questions...how long did it take to get here? Do you speak English?). After a relaxing evening (in which Jamie Kay took over the entertainment at a local Mexican restaurant and serenaded all the diners), today was skill contests and the opening day ceremony. Central City members competed in the Home Run Derby, Strongest Arm, Roadrunner (running speed) and Around the Horn (throwing around the bases) contests and performed well, with Nick Gadbaw missing out on the Roadrunner finals by .05 of a second. Day's excitement only went briefly awry when the boys decided to play rugby at a baseball tournament and Scott Pennington pulled a leg muscle. We're hoping he's okay for tomorrow. Opening ceremonies tonight saw the team parading with teams from Brazil, Japan, the Dominican Republic as well as numerous other American and international teams. Lots of high fives from other teams, lots of pin swapping, but unfortunately no Haka for the crowd as lightning prompted a fast end to the festivities. First game tomorrow against an American team - and then maybe finally a tour of downtown Chicago in the afternoon. CHICAGO TOURNAMENT DAY ONE Check out this report at http://ssm.nwherald.com/mcs/multimedia/video.php?id=%2020090723newzealand (Correction to video report: This is NOT the first NZ baseball team to go to the U.S. but, hey, it sounds good...) The team, after 24 hours plus of traveling, played 3 short practice games today - one against Japan, one against a local Crystal Lake team and one against Brazil. The boys did well, despite heat and fatigue, and proved to be competitive. Opening ceremony and skills display tomorrow - first game day after (Saturday here, Sunday in Auckland). Boys will be playing 5 games in 3 days before facing a double elimination round. Everyone here has been great and making all the Kiwis feel at home. And we Americans are enjoying baseball and Mexican food. |
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